J.B. Hunt Opts for Vantage Trackers

J.B. Hunt Transport Services wants to know where its trailers are and whether they’re sitting empty. The truckload giant plans to answer those questions by installing Vantage Tracking Solutions systems in 14,000 trailers over the next two years.

The systems use low-earth-orbiting satellites that read sensors on the trailers. Among the data transmitted are the trailer’s location, whether the trailer is hooked to a tractor, whether the door is open and whether it is empty or loaded.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the system generally costs $650 a copy, plus about $15 per month for daily location readings, said Steve Werrlein, a Vantage spokesman.

The deal is the second major sale of untethered-trailer tracking systems by Vantage in the last three months. In May, the firm signed a contract to outfit much of Wisconsin-based Schneider National’s fleet of 43,000 trailers (6-7, p. 10).

“The Schneider and J.B. Hunt deals show that there is a trend that the major carriers are not only sold on the concept, but also moving forward with implementation,” said Don Thoma, general manager of Vantage.

George Brooks, vice president of research and development for J.B. Hunt, Lowell, Ark., said the system “will reduce the time our drivers spend driving around looking for available empty trailers.”

For the full story, see the July 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.